Live Blog: Ukraine In Crisis (Archive)

Political consultant Brian Mefford, an ex-advisor to Viktor Yushchenko, writes in the "Kyiv Post" about Russia's three "annexations" of Crimea -- 1783, 1944, 2014 -- and the plight of the Tatars.

You just had to know this was going to happen sooner or later:

Meanwhile, Darth Vader filed all necessary papers in Ukraine to run for president. True story! http://t.co/LicJzixgpw pic.twitter.com/DVMvb97Yhk

— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014

RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service has more details.

"Darth Vader, the chairman of the "Internet Party of Ukraine" has submitted to the Central Electoral Commission all the necessary documents to register as a candidate for president in the May 25 special election, including a deposit of 2.5 million hryvna (approximately $227,000).

Tymoshenko: 'Language is not important for us, Ukraine is united thanks to Maidan and Putin' pic.twitter.com/v5ALZ8nJSN

— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014

Tymoshenko speaks about Ukrainian unity...in Russian:

Tymoshenko turns to Russian language when speaking about Ukrainian unity pic.twitter.com/m3DIY9PAsW

— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014

This is bound to raise eyebrows. Tymoshenko calls on oligarchs to stay out of politics:

If during these elections we will not get rid of oligarchy, Ukraine don't stand a chance - @YuliaTymoshenko pic.twitter.com/47vi8hMxxp

— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014

That's my personal war with oligarchy.I'm not against big business, but they need to stay out of politics -Tymoshenko pic.twitter.com/dl1kYOGcsy

— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014

Pussy Riot hits Kyiv:

Pussy Riot in Kyiv. Boom RT @MashaAlekhina: Мы наконец-то в Киеве! pic.twitter.com/aT0g8k4qbW

— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014

Party of the Regions strips former PM #Azarov of membership

— Myroslava Petsa (@myroslavapetsa) March 29, 2014

#Ukraine's ousted president Viktor Yanukovych and ex-PM Mykola Azarov officially kicked out of Party of Regions. http://t.co/NaXHTA9Ot1

— Just Hovens Greve (@JustHovensGreve) March 29, 2014

Some skepticism about Tymoshenko's newfound antipathy for oligarchs from Channel 5's Myroslava Petsa:

#Tymoshenko calls her presidential bid a personal war against oligarchy.Ha!

— Myroslava Petsa (@myroslavapetsa) March 29, 2014

Tymoshenko says prison experience has brought her closer to the people:

Tymoshenko: "My 933 days in prison, 933 times I changed like a person there. I'm closer to you, now"

— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014